SPORT official Ndeulipula Hamutumwa has called for greater financial support for athletes after Johanna Benson secured the country's first medal at the London Paralympic Games on Sunday.

Yesterday, Hamutumwa, who was the Chef de Mission of Namibia's Olympic team, pledged N$1 000 to Benson on behalf of the Ndeulipula Hamutumwa Trust.

"This is indeed a great achievement for Namibia and Miss Benson has put Namibia on the global map. She has joined great names such as Frankie Fredericks for winning a prestigious medal at such a global sporting festival. She is a true ambassador for the country. Well done Johanna, you have made the nation proud," he said.

Johannes will receive at least N$70 000 for her silver medal after the Deputy Director of Sport, Shivute Katamba, pledged cash rewards for athletes who won medals at the Paralympic Games.

Gold medallists would receive N$100 000, silver medallists N$70 000 and bronze medallists N$40 000, Katamba announced.

"On behalf of the Ndeulipula Hamutumwa Trust, we would like to pledge N$1 000 to reward our athletes who will be winning medals at the Paralympic Games. As a nation, we must continue to mobilise resources to reward sporting excellence and our athletes. Our athletes need the nation's support. I hereby join the humble and progressive call in supporting our athletes currently participating at the Paralympic Games in London. Sporting excellence brings joy to a nation.

Once again congratulations to Team Namibia at the Games," he added. On Sunday, Martin Aloysius failed to reach the Men's 400m T12 final after he came third in his heat in 51,70 seconds.

Aloysius was injured during training and was not at his best.

Yesterday, Reginald Benade missed out on a medal when he came sixth in the Men's Discus Throw F35/46 with a distance of 37,28m.

Sebastian Dietz of Germany won the gold medal in 38,54m, with Oleksii Pashkov of Ukraine winning silver in 37,89 and Wenbo Wang of China bronze in 37,87.